PREVIEW GAME #12 Canadiens @ Tampa Bay (Feb. 12/2013)

…..The Canadiens have lost three in a row. They’ve given up eleven goals their last two games after losing to Boston 2-1 at the Bell Centre to start the losing streak.

…. Carey Pricehas lost his last two starts and is 1-4-0 with a 3.10 goals-against average in his past five games in Tampa.

…..The Lightning have lost four in a row allowing nine goals their last two games. Over their losing streak they have managed only six goals. Preceding their losing streak they had won five in a row.

…..At home this season the Lightning are 5-1-0 and have outscored opponents 32-16. On the road they are 1-4-0.

…..The Lightning had a good offensive start to the season with 37 goals in their first seven games (5.3 per game). They have six goals in their last five, all losses. Outscored 14-6.

…..Tampa Bay is coming off a scheduled four game road trip that was shortened to three when Saturday’s game in Boston was postponed by the Northeast blizzard.

….The Lightning are 6-1-2 the last nine games against the Canadiens at home. They won both meetings in Tampa last season.

….The Lightning are listed third in the Eastern Conference although they have one fewer point than the Canadiens who are seventh in the East. Their third seeding comes from their lead in the Southeast Division.

….Slumping Erik Cole has ten goals and 13 assists in his last 16 games against the Lightning dating back to his days with the Carolina Hurricanes. 42 points in 49 games over his career against them.

….Steven Stamkos has five goals and two assists in his last five games at home against Montreal.Vincent Lecavalier has four goals in his last five games overall against the Canadiens and has at least a goal in each of the last three meetings.

….. Tampa’s Cory Conacher leads all NHL rookies in goalscoring with 5 (three-way tie), in assists with 7 and total point points. Alex Galchenyuk ranks 6th over all in points with 7(1 g-6a) and Brendan Gallagher 7th with six points (4g 2a)

…..Max Pacioretty, who will play on a line with rookies Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher has six goals and three assists over his last six vs. Tampa.

….. 33 year old Tampa forward Ryan Malone has never played more than 70 games in any of his four-plus seasons with the team missing a total of 67 games. He is on injury reserve again after suffering a lower-body injury before the Lightning-Rangers game on Sunday during their “pregame kick-around with a soccer ball.”

….. Tampa Bay has scored 1 goal in 19 power play advantages on the road. . At home, they lead the league at 44.4 percent (12-for-27). Overall their power play ranks second.

Last Time Out – Canadiens lost to Toronto 6-0 Saturday at home. Tampa Bay beaten by the Rangers 5-1 Sunday.

Season Series – First of three games.

Last Season – The Canadiens won two of four meetings. Dec. 29 at St. Petersburgh -Tampa-4 Canadiens-3. Former Canadien Marc-Andre Bergeron and Vincent Lecavalier scored unanswered third period goal as the Tampa Bay Lightning came from behind. Another former Canadien, J.T. Wyman scored his first NHL goal and added an assist. Also Steven Stamkos For the Canadiens Michael Cammalleri, David Desharnais and Erik Cole. Canadiens outshot the Lightning 34-22. Jan. 7 @Bell Centre – Canadiens-3 Tampa-1.For the first time in almost a month the Canadiens managed to put back-back-wins together. Michael Blunden, Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole scored for the Canadiens, who recovered from a 1-0 deficit when Vincent Lecavalier scored in the game’s fourth minute. The three stars were Pacioretty, Carey Price and Lecavalier. Feb 28 @Tampa Bay – Tampa-2 Canadiens-1 Adam Hall broke a 1-1 tie 28 seconds into the second period and goaltender Mathieu Garon made it stand up as the Tampa Bay Lightning handed the Canadiens their fifth straight defeat. Steven Stamkos also scored for Tampa, his league leading 42nd. David Desharnais scored for the Canadiens, who outshot the Lightning 24-22. Apr 4@Bell Centre – Canadiens-5 Tampa-2. Eric Cole and Max Pacioretty each score twice. Alexei Emelin with the other goal. Two assists for Desharnais. Vincent Lecavalier and Bruno Gervais for the Lightning. Tampa had only 16 shots. Budaj in goal for Montreal. Gabriel Dumont made his NHL debut.